A three foot long snake was found at the Tucker’s Point Resort this afternoon [May 16] and it has been transported to the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo and euthanized.

The snake — likely a Black Racer or similar species — was found on the golf course.

Officials said that “given the significant impacts that any snakes, especially a Black Racer, would have on Bermuda’s ecology the snake has been humanely euthanized.”

The statement from Government said, “The Department of Conservation Services can confirm that a three foot snake was removed from Tucker’s Point Resort this afternoon to the care and control of the zoo staff of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

“The snake was found on the golf course, near the pond by the clubhouse and after an examination it was found to be a female, most likely a Black Racer [Coluber constrictor] or a similar species.

“The Black Racer is non-venomous snake that predates on lizards, insects, birds, rodents and frogs. Black racers are found throughout the eastern U.S., from southern Maine to the Florida Keys.

“Racers are faster than most other snakes, very agile, and generally flee when approached, often climbing into small trees or shrubs. They breed April until late summer.

“The Department of Conservation Services can confirm that given the significant impacts that any snakes, especially a Black Racer, would have on Bermuda’s ecology the snake has been humanely euthanized,” concluded the spokesperson.

Oh God, no! Please, no snakes here. Our poor frogs have already been decimated and those that are left are suffering with mutations. The dang imported kiskadee marauders have put great effort into killing off our blue birds. The Chick-de-Villie has already all but disappeared. Better this one snake go then our whole eco-system be turned upside down. I would take any bet that she was pregnant too. Hopefully they caught her before she laid eggs. I don’t know the gestation period, but the article speaks of these snakes breeding in April. What are the odds that someone released this creature on purpose?

Frogs aren’t native to Bermuda. They are introduced. The big ones eat native species as part of their diet. The little ones surely have their own impact–not sure what–probably eating little bug species that no one ever knew existed. The Bermudian skink is the only native lizard. There are no native amphibians.

The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo is mandated to ‘inspire appreciation and care of island environments’. Accordingly, the animals on display are all from islands; additionally the focus is on rare species, and the facility is part of a species breeding program.

The Black Racer is a relatively common species from continental North America. As such, it does not fit within their mandate as a rare or island species.

Furthermore, as their mandate, and as part of the DoConservation, they also have a responsibility to ensure that threats to Bermuda’s ecology are reduced. Keeping this snake (which also is not known for adjusting to captivity well) would constitute a threat to our island’s ecology, and so they are pretty much mandated to euthanise it humanely.

As a side note, the BAMZ is not primarily an entertainment institution. It is first and foremost an educational and ecological facility. They are also bound by strict regulations as part of their accreditation with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).

Thanks for the informed comment. Amazing what a little research can do to an individual before they go out commenting on decisions they clearly has never hab the opportunity to be a part of. (Former Aquaculture Technician)

YUP! Animals are defenseless (just like babies) and depend on humans who do nothing but abuse and destroy habitats. Animals need a voice. I am an animal lover. Humans destroy each other and are a barbaric heartless breed at the top of the food chain killing the world for their own selsifh reasons, but they have a choice and a voice, they can make the right decisions or defend themselves but choose to make the wrong decisions and turn a blind eye. I’m not a people lover.

Take a trip to Guam and see how the brown snake has taken over. To allow a species to exist where it has no natural predators to keep it in check is the basis for killing it. Similar to how we are trying to deal with the introduction of the Lion Fish before they decimate the fish stocks, as they are doing in the Bahamas.

@Mariner: Yeah, I wouldn’t want these creepy crawlies to take over here…seeing as we’re now entering ‘roach season’, it would be one more disgusting pest to deal with-along with those nasty centipedes in the east end.

People, please stop jumping to conclusions about what BAMZ can do with this snake. To keep and display a snake is an expense, building an enclosure and keeping it fed isn’t free. Don’t assume this is the first snake taken to the zoo either, like someone else said, their responsibility is the conservation of Bermuda. It’s not a pet. Do you know how easily this species of snake could destroy Bermuda’s beautiful ecosystem? Any species, for that matter? Lets look at the bigger picture here, because even though it may be easy to point a finger and call them murderers, its a reason that these people are employed by BAMZ and the “accusers” are NOT. There’s a reason the people that are educated on matters like this are the ones that made this decision. And FYI, Bermuda is the perfect breeding ground for snakes, ideal temperature range, abundant food source and no competitors, so I advise anyone who sees one in the future to take its life… Humanely of course…. Better yet, just call the professionals.

I’m not buying this ‘humanely’ killing it business. How exactly would you humanely euthanize a snake? I’m sure they didn’t give it a needle to put it to sleep (could a needle even get through its skin?), and I doubt they gassed it (do they have the facilities to do that?).

I’ll bet the entire $11 in my chequing account that they just chopped its head off.

This reminds me of poor Rocco the Raccoon. We couldn’t send him back, either. The Americans would have thought we were losing our minds (would have thought the same thing about the snake) but I felt so sorry for Rocco when they showed a photo of him in a cage, holding onto the bars and peering out not knowing what was in store for him. Poor Rocco just wanted a little adventure and paid for it with his life…he never got a chance to go home and live out his life and take care of Mrs. Rocco and baby Rocco who probably were wondering what happened to him and why he disappeared…

Any Snake is bad for Bermuda . A team needs to go to the area were they found this snake and make sure that theres no more. FLUSH THEM ALL OUT! NOW! I wonder what x%$^&&^#+## bought the thing to BERMUDA in the first place.

Snakes are not natural to Bermuda. Get rid of them. Educate our less informed public what happened in Guam with the Brown snakes…no more birds. Silence in the jungle. I simply cannot understand those who would risk Bermuda by smuggling ANY kind of snake in. The ignorance is simply staggering.

The snake was prolly on , way k shone ,.. Den ,… som bolly came a long and ruined his day.

Den he was turned over to Government who said ” i heard they make good soup,”

Den the guy who ratted the snake out felt bad and took him round to the people who he thought would get the guy back on the Bus and sent home , ver he could tell all about Bermuda golf courses and the tastey cameleons and what not… Buh Nooooo0ooo!

instead , the lot he turned the snake into , prolly ,.. had him for dinner inwiting over the government official that said he heard they make a great tasting soup… Den these lot make up some sorta story how the one snake is going to single out the Bermudian eco system and bring it to its Knees and had to be put down as some sorta vironmental terrorist or whatever…